Kazakh forces conducting search for protesters

KABUL (Pajhwok): The security forces of Kazakhstan are conducting house-to-house searches of protesters and at least 6,000 people have been detained so far, media reports say.

In Nur Sultan, the Interior Ministry announced on Sunday the arrest of 5,969 people on various charges, including 133 on serious offenses.

Based on reports, at least 165 people have been killed in the recent unrest in the Central Asian country. On the other hand, Kazakh officials say the situation is currently under control.

A statement from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s office said a “substantial number of foreign nationals” were among the detainees.

Authorities, launching a brutal clampdown, have been able to largely bring the situation under control in the country’s largest city, Almaty, after Russia responded to Tokayev’s call for help by sending several thousand soldiers.

“The situation has stabilised in all regions of the country,” the presidential statement said.

sa/mud

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